Alice Ruth Whitaker

Alice was born in Casper, Wyoming on January 24, 1936 to Rupert Neal and Hattie Louella (Hart) Anderson. She graduated in 1954 from Natrona County High School. She chose her career in service through Nurses training in Helena, Montana at Carroll College. (St Vincent school of nursing) Amidst her coursework, mutual friends coaxed her into a blind date where she met the love of her life, Jerry Lee Whitaker at a malt shop in town. After her graduation in 1957, they married in Billings, MT at the Christian Church where she accepted Christ as her savior. After honeymooning up the west coastline, they chose to join Jerrys parents in Oregon the year after with their first home together in Tigard and finally settling in South Salem. They grew their family of four; Lorrie, Liane, Mike and Brian and their dream of parenthood together.

Alice began work in Labor and delivery at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland and in 1964 she continued in the nursery at Salem General Hospital for Several years. The hospital closed and she began a new facet of nursing at the Oregon State hospital in Mental Health until her retirement in 1996. She was very dedicated to her profession and the patients she cared for especially in the lifelong caregiving of her son Brian who was born with Muscular Dystrophy. She also worked at Salem Heights elementary as a school nurse and did volunteer work at the Marion County Health department vaccinating children.

Alice actively immersed herself fully with community. She and Jerry served faithfully in various churches throughout their marriage and forged lifelong friendships along the way. She became a member of the school PTA as well as hosting the neighborhood Good News club and leading crafts for vacation Bible school along with team mom for league sports. Our parents remained in a small potluck group for over 40 years, she thrived on holiday parties and entertaining, extension classes and picnics with friends and even began a Ceramics business with a kiln in our garage where she created masterpieces with friends and family in the basement of our home. Mom was blessed to be in several Women’s Bible study groups and a annual campout group she enjoyed.

Mom will long be remembered for her vivacious fun-loving and generous nature, her joyful smile, sense of humor and strong determination. She laughed, lived and loved large and was dedicated to her family. Mom kept Sundays at church, dinner dates out with Dad and ice cream jaunts a big priority! She was a very devoted Nana to her two grandsons and four granddaughters. She and Dad loyally watched and rooted for University of Oregon and Oregon State teams together. She will be greatly missed!

Alice is survived by her children; Lorrie Whitaker Liane (Ernie) Kirchner and Michael (Donna) Whitaker; and ‘’daughter’’ Martha Applegate. Her brother and wife Glenn and Mary Anderson and many nieces and nephews.

Alice is proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry (2015) and Son Brian (2021); Parents Rupert and Hattie Anderson, Sister and her husband Mary Lou and Gus Larson and Brother and wife, Ralph and Angie Anderson.

The family wishes to deeply thank Bonnie, Julie and Adam for assisting family with caregiving at home in her final months.

Interment was held at Willamette National Cemetery on December 23 2021. A celebration of life will be held at Salem Heights Church Chapel in Salem Or on February 12 2022 AT 2:00pm.Messages and photos are encouraged at the Howell Edwards Doerksen at Rigdon Ransom memorial website.